Barry Switzer Thinks Tony Romo Might Be 'Overrated' and an Error Prone 'Gunslinger'

Barry Switzer and Jimmy Johnson, according to the Dallas Morning News, got on a BCS related conference call recently, and given that their area of expertise rolls squarely over into Dallas Cowboys territory, reporters were, naturally, curious as to their thoughts re: Coach Cupcake's return to Big D.

Johnson's answer -- despite possibly wanting to get some payback at Jerry Jones for earier remarks -- was pretty stock in terms of the 'Boys owner just not wanting to make changes. Switzer though, was a little less reserved, and called Tony Romo out for a few things.

They stink right now. Romo might be an overrated quarterback and gunslinger, throws the ball, takes too many chances, gambles. I just know that Jerry doesn't want to do that and he's certainly going to give it another year. I think every coach in pro football gets four years.

First off, as Bacon said, how awesome is it that, suddenly, the term "gunslinger" is considered an insult? Just a year or so ago, people were swooning over Romo's similarities to Brett Favre. But after his apparent [over]exposure in New York, we can freely call people g-slingers again with the intent of calling them reckless.

And secondly, Switzer is right -- the Cowboys do stink and Romo is probably overrated; so much is made of his ability to have big games but look at the freaking offense that's around him and then check out his December splits (hint: not good) and it's not that hard to figure out he might be getting more credit than he's due a lot of the time.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

12-30-2008 @ 9:09PM

CDS said...

Since Romo has the reputation as a December choker, it's hard to call him overrated.

Switzer is right about one thing, though: the Cowboys do stink. As a Cowboys fan, I hate to say it, but facts are facts.

12-31-2008 @ 9:12AM

zmalt said...

I think he's overrated as well. He's guranteed turnovers every game and an interception or two every other. I'm a Cowbows fan and I just don't see what others see in him. I'm wondering if we are watching the same games sometimes.

12-30-2008 @ 9:50PM

Fran said...

What can I say! Maybe if there was less bickering between the players and more consentration on the game of football we might have won and not of been the laughing stock of the NFL!
I hope next year they can get it together!! They are supposed to be the best of the best and from a avid fan's point of view they were a really big disappointment!!

12-30-2008 @ 10:18PM

hector said...

At the beginning of the season everybody was praising Romo how he was going to take them to the SuperBowl, Well hes sitting at home, Am I glad, he is overrated and the cowboys fans are spoiled, I bet you they are not even going to watch the Superbowl.
GO STEELERS

12-31-2008 @ 4:33AM

Terry said...

Romo can take his Buddies back to Mexico like they did last year; Its obvious that his Dallas Days are almost over. One thing for sure; we need a backup that can challenge Romo for that job. Not having to look over his shoulder and not having to worry about Coach Kupcake to chew him out has turned him into a reckless Gunslinger that will never win or go to a superbowl.

12-31-2008 @ 8:05PM

Jet said...

Barry and Randy Cross are idiots! If you get rid of Romo, what do you have? Who are you going to bring in? Romo may not be the second coming of Roger Staubach, but how did the Cowboys do without him this year? He needs a work ethic like Aikman used to have and learn to be a field general...he had the benefit of a short time with Parcells but since then he has had no real coaching that I can see, and I haven't seen TO win a one-on-one all year. He needs some help so he doesn't run for his life every pass play! This team with this offensive line is built to be a run-first offense despite the talent at wide receiver (although I still think Witten is the MVP of that offense and it was a mistake to game plan away from him to the wide outs) -- Roy Williams has a lot of potential to be a number one, draft a solid number two and have Pat C as the third down slot guy and get rid of the cancer (who I have been defending for 3 years and he has let me down). Wade has done a pretty good job with the defense, and I think it is serviceable (especially if Roy comes back next year - I think he brings a toughness to that secondary that more than makes up for his shortcomings on coverage), so reign Romo in a bit, find someone who can coach him up and the team has a lot to build on; however, I think they go nowhere with Wade as head coach -- just not a guy who can build toughness and will have respect of all the players. I would love to see them try to pull Lovie from Chicago (he is still one of the lowest paid guys in the league) or Herm from KC; even Shanahan (never going to happen) would be a coach they would have to resepct because of the rings. I think Romo has had some brilliant moments bringing the team back in many games (although not in December) and but for a couple of moments (botched hold - shouldn't have been holding anyway, Pat Crayton drops sure touchdown Giant game) he has at least earned the job (again, who do you bring in who is better?) and I think will develop into an above average quarterback who will continue to win and eventually gain some toughness IF (and its a big IF) Jerry will bring someone in who will coach the team and not just wear the headset. It has always been: Q-back gets too much credit when the team wins, too much blame when they lose; never going to change. Hang in there Tony!!

12-30-2008 @ 10:39PM

arkansas1967 said...

Here's the problem with the boys.To start there is no team
work with the offence they are all about their self on the side
lines in the former great cowboys teams you would see the players talking and sitting together not setting all alone this
is a coaching disipline problem Tony Romo is not a leader
but a child like kid T o is a loner who in reality does not realy back anyone the only players with any nutts are Jason Whitten
Demarcas Ware and Brady James and maybe Patrick Craton
and Marion Barber and some of the rookies and as for Tank and even Zack Thomas they are not maning up either and
no one mentions the offc. line except when old slow and dumb Frozell false starts I mean how many 10 yards can he cost us
so Wade grow a pair and get these guys right or trade their asses.
as for the rest of the over paid jack asses Pac Man TO.
and both Roy Williams trade their asses.Trade Tank too!

12-30-2008 @ 10:55PM

Greg said...

There was a reason why Parcells didnt want to play Romo. The kid is not a leader nor is he mentally tough.

12-31-2008 @ 12:01AM

Parcells didn't want to play Romo? I guess that is why he benched Bledsoe in the middle of the season for him...

Also, just because Romo hasn't had any success in the playoffs yet doesn't mean he never will. They said the same thing about John Elway and the Mannings, and look at them.

Romo deserves most of the criticism he's gotten, but any Cowboys fans who want to get rid are idiots. Who, exactly, would we replace him with? Changing quarterbacks would do nothing to improve the team.

12-30-2008 @ 11:05PM

gmen4evar said...

Parcells on his way out said Romo will put up big numbers and win a lot of games, BUT, he will make at least one big mistake a game and may cost you a big game. Prophetic again, Mr. Parcells

12-31-2008 @ 2:02AM

Mario said...

Barry Switzer is old school classic.. I agree that the Cowboys stink! I do think they have chemistry problems. Wade Phillips needs to go. Cowboys need a strong, innovative personality to guide this team. I am not sold on Romo either!

12-31-2008 @ 5:34AM

giant fan since 57 said...

Considering Barry's embarrassing tenure and results at Dallas it's not a stretch to call him overrated.

12-31-2008 @ 6:03AM

Sheck said...

I would have to say Romo is the most over rated QB at this time in the NFL. "Hairpiece" Jones all but accepted the Super Bowl throphy in Sept with some of his comments. He needs to get a coach in there who looks like he knows football. Phillips looks like he just woke up from a nap half the time. Between the Cowboys and the Buc's i don't know who is worse. Go Miami... Pennington put it right where the sun does not peep.. Farve.. 12 million a year give me a break

12-31-2008 @ 7:32AM

Sports Fan said...

The Cowboys are disjointed. There isn't any timing or consistency; no discipline. If Romo doesn't do the reads then he will force it or fumble it. Jason Garrett doesn't know squat when I see that there are no patterns or play potential other than have TO draw the coverage and then throw it to Witten.
Besides TO has lost a step and I don't think anyone has adjusted.

12-31-2008 @ 9:31AM

Anyone who believes that Romo is the answer must be taking stupid pills. Leadership and mental toughness are essential, traits that Romo lacks.

1-01-2009 @ 9:59AM

terance calhoun said...

romo is a nice guy but when u have the players around him like he does on both sides of the ball u should look good he has a very good running game and 5 guys who knows how to catch the ball he is compared to breet its funny brett is allowed to do what ohter qbs would get fired of sat down for and people like madden and other praise him and if u throws a int they say he is trying to win a game or he didnt see the defender or the reciver isnt trying hard enough but now brett is being xposed because people are tired of what he has been allow to do any qb like cassell who has recivers who can catch a front line that can pass block and a defense who can hold the other team wil do good lets see any one of these qbs play with average recivers no good pass blocking line and a half ass running game then u will see whatu got its time we as fan be real and think for ourself and not allow sport casters to think for use because to be honest its only a hand full who will not sugr coat a player no matter what the others say

12-31-2008 @ 10:45AM

Buzz said...

Hey Arkansas 1967, I suggest that before you start posting comments...you go back to 4th grade and learn to spell!

12-31-2008 @ 10:48AM

...and punctuate correctly!

1-01-2009 @ 4:53AM

Steve said...

"Also, just because Romo hasn't had any success in the playoffs yet doesn't mean he never will."

Get real man. What games are you watching? If the Cowboys have any sense they'll get rid of Romo, Pacman, and maybe Owens too. A place like the Cowboys or the NY Jets (if Favre retires since its NY) is not where a person who can't play under pressure should be. They should send him to the Raiders and get first round draft picks.

1-01-2009 @ 2:16PM

Treyd said...

Finally we are beginning to see Romo as we should. He is Danny White. We just paid him like Staubach or Aikman. He is an oustanding back up quarterback that will do well if you do not game plan for him. Jason Garrett is also exposed. The fact is, TO may whine like a little girl but he has hall of fame credentials. You cannot say that about Romo or Garrett. They will never get there. Additionally, TO has only played with two HOF QBs and that is Steve Young and McNabb. He has not lost a step, he needs some help. We need a QB and a new scheme.

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